Dodgers, Mariners, Tigers, Phillies pay tribute to Tony Gwynn
By Bryan Rose
On Monday morning, Major League Baseball lost not only one its greatest players, but they also lost one of their greatest ambassadors and people as San Diego Padres legend Tony Gwynn passed away.
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Gwynn played 20 seasons, all of them with the Padres and despite spending his career in a relatively ‘small market’, few presences were bigger in the game than Gwynn during the peak of his career. That showed on Monday night as despite a relatively soft schedule, most teams playing honored the icon with a pre-game ceremony.
Some, like the Detroit Tigers went a touch further and placed Gwynn’s famed ‘5.5’ logo between third base and shortstop.
Tony Gwynn was famous for hitting through the “5.5 hole.” The Tigers memorialized it tonight http://t.co/s7GaxRyee3 pic.twitter.com/wgj2G53SlC
— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 17, 2014
Gwynn of course named the place between the two infielders the ‘5.5’ hole as it’s an area of the field he trained himself to hit the ball.
The Phillies placed Gwynn’s uniform in their dugout, likely a tribute from bench coach Larry Bowa who coached the right fielder along with the fact that Gwynn’s son is a member of the Philadelphia organization.
Classy move by the #Phillies as they hang Tony Gwynn Jr's jersey in the dugout as he is place on the bereavement list pic.twitter.com/YPqHhgg0BL
— Nick Hamelin (@NickHamelin) June 17, 2014
In addition to the Tigers and Phillies, the rival Los Angeles Dodgers – a team in which Gwynn had so many big hits against – payed homage to their former NL West player by honoring Gwynn on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard before the game.
Dodger Stadium observes a moment of silence for Tony Gwynn following a video tribute by Vin Scully: pic.twitter.com/mlXBdnsDWu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2014
Lastly, the Seattle Mariners, who were hosting the Padres honored Gwynn by placing his famed #19 on the infield in the ‘5.5’ hole.
Thank you to the @Mariners for honoring Tony Gwynn tonight with 19 in the 5.5-hole at Safeco Field #MrPadre pic.twitter.com/sU6QGTER3B
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 17, 2014
The Padres themselves placed Gwynn’s jersey in their dugout (in addition to wearing black armbands), though given the light Monday schedule I’d expect we’ll see a handful of teams honor the San Diego great on Tuesday as well.
With us here in the #Padres dugout tonight at Safeco Field #MrPadre pic.twitter.com/0sv5P0ffai
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 17, 2014
The Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks also held a moment of silence prior to their games.